James Harden is currently the best free agent on the market right now after opting out of his $42.3 million player option. Harden is expected to re-sign with the Cavaliers on a multi-year deal this summer, but it seems he’s holding out in the event that his team lands LeBron James.
As the current favorites for the King, Cleveland has taken the necessary steps for his arrival, but the waiting game continues as he mulls the decision. In the meantime, veteran guard James Harden became the latest Cavs player to make his pitch to James, and his message was very simple.
“I hope he comes to Cleveland,” said Harden. “It’s a perfect storybook finish, and he’s at home for his last year. He’s gonna decide, and he’s smart enough. I don’t think anybody’s pitch is gonna move him. So, wherever he decides, the team’s gonna be a lot better.”
At 41 years old, LeBron has a lot of wisdom to share, and he still provides tremendous value on the court with averages of 23.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game on 46.6% shooting from the field and 43.5% shooting from three. His addition to a Cavs team that made the East Finals could be enough to make them strong title favorites.
Still, if you ask Harden, he has no idea where LeBron is going. He’s being kept in the dark like everyone else, and all he can do is wait to see how things will play out. When asked directly for an answer, all he could do was laugh.
James Harden Started Laughing When He Was Asked Where LeBron James Is Going:
“I don’t know (laughs)” pic.twitter.com/FVxupmwID2
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) July 18, 2026
James Harden is hardly the only one to make a public appeal to LeBron. His teammate, Donovan Mitchell, also had a pitch, and he made similar points about the chance to achieve basketball glory with his home team. By going back where it started, LeBron can bring his career full circle and pay homage to the team and the fans who have always had his back.
Basketball-wise, the Cavaliers may be his best chance to win one more championship. They are fresh off the Conference Finals and have a core they can trust in Mitchell, Harden, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. That’s not to mention key bench players like Dennis Schroder, Max Strus, and Sam Merrill.
With all those factors, it’s easy to explain why the Cavaliers have such an advantage over the field. Beyond their ties to LeBron, they have the kind of situation that he’s looking for: a win-now team that consistently plays meaningful games. Nevertheless, with so many variables to consider (and the stakes being so high), LeBron is taking his time with this decision.
In what could be the last switch of his career, James wants to ensure he’s in a place where he can succeed, and he’s done it on the Cavaliers before. At this stage of his career, he wouldn’t be the star of the show in Cleveland, but LeBron could still thrive playing with one of the best offensive backcourts in the NBA.
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